From the Pulpit: 'When was the last time you intentionally paused life?'

Any wellness expert will tell you rest is critically important to remain healthy in body and mind. We believe in the value of rest but we don’t actually do it. We convince ourselves that rest will come when a big project at work is complete, when I get the promotion, when the kids are older, when sports no longer demand my weekends, and the list goes on. Not only do we excuse ourselves from rest, we reach for substitutes. Alcohol, cigarettes, energy drinks, greasy food, Facebook, and Netflix are often the first thing we run to in attempts to restore our body and mind. 

Substitutes feel good in the moment but provide only a temporary illusion of repair. Substitutes cannot achieve the total system reboot that our bodies were designed for. A true reboot allows our system to rest, heal, defrag and update. Our Creator designed us this way and then authored the No. 1 health and wellness manual, the bible. 

Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He made your body and designed it to heal itself. But not without Sabbath. The Lord worked for six days, and rested on the seventh. You have likely heard the old adage, when your output exceeds your input, your upkeep will be your downfall. A battery can’t put out what it doesn’t have. 

When was the last time you intentionally paused life? Chose to pray? Chose to just breathe? Chose to worship? Chose to serve someone who could never possibly repay you? When was the last time you reflected on the many blessings in your life?  

You can take back your health by taking a Sabbath from all your labors. There is a place where you can log off each week and rest, heal, defrag and update. This place exists. Jesus is here in Brandon, S.D. You can ‘come to Him’ whenever you need to log off and reboot your system.  

As our community moves into this fall, I’d encourage each of you to take the opportunity to gather virtually with our 12th annual Prayer Breakfast in a unique way. Governor Kristi Noem will be sharing with our community on the power of prayer. Join us online this Friday, Aug. 14 at 7 a.m. and all throughout the day at facebook.com/brandonsdprayerbreakfast, brandonvalley.org/YouTube, or Alliance Digital Cable - Channel 21.